Holiday Gift Ideas for Gamers: Xbox 360 Games

Sorting through the multitude of holiday releases for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console can be a daunting task even for a gamer. For those looking to choose a gift for the video game player in their life, it can be a near impossibility.

Any gamer finding one of these five games under their Christmas tree is sure to be pleased. All are excellent, well-reviewed titles, rated in order of their overall score on the game-review collecting site Metacritic.

The sequel smashed hit. This third-person shooter pits Marcus Fenix, one of the humanity’s last survivors, against the Locust horde that threatens to eradicate the human race.

Gears of War 2 features co-op gameplay and an innovative cover system that creates a visceral sense of danger for players. Excellent competitive online multiplayer is a huge part of this game’s appeal. Gears of War 2 is a perfect gift for any fan of the original Gears of War or Halo 3.

Fallout 3 is the latest iteration of the popular role-playing franchise. Developed by Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion developer Bethesda Softworks, this first- or third-person RPG features an immense wasteland for players to explore and a multitude of quests to complete.

Fallout 3 is a huge game, few others offer so many hours of gameplay for the price. It is the perfect gift for fans of Oblivion or other role-playing games.

Rock Band 2 is the much-improved sequel to what many call the greatest party game of all time. Players choose from drums, guitar, bass, or vocals, and play along with any of the game’s 80+ songs.

Up to four players can rock simultaneously and Rock Band 2’s immense library of downloadable songs ensures that every gamer can find something they will enjoy playing. Fans of music games and rock music, in general, will love this game.

Lionhead Studios’ Fable 2 is a truly unique and innovative action RPG. Players control a hero from childhood to adulthood, in a world where every choice can have disastrous consequences. The hero’s appearance changes and evolves as the player progresses through the game, reflecting the tendencies and choices they’ve made.

In the living, interactive world of Fable 2, players can buy property, get married, have children, find legendary weapons, or find work as a blacksmith or bartender. There’s also the small matter of stopping a power-hungry tyrant from destroying the world. Fable 2 would be a fantastic gift for any RPG fan, and its simple yet engaging combat mechanics make it easy to get into, even for more casual gamers.

The ultimate cooperative first-person shooter, Left 4 Dead pits a group of four survivors against a multitude of bloodthirsty zombies. Players must work together to survive the onslaught, working their way from safe room to safe room, facing diverse types of zombies and constantly scavenging for weapons and ammunition.

The game’s innovative Director A.I. keeps the game interesting by constantly adjusting the challenge, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same. Left 4 Dead is a fantastic gift for fans of action games and gamers who enjoy cooperative multiplayer experiences.

Left 4 Dead’s Metacritic score is 88 out of 100.

Finding and choosing quality Christmas gifts for an avid video gamer can be impossibly difficult. Any Xbox 360 gamer would be thrilled to find Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Rock Band 2, Fable 2, or Left 4 Dead in their Christmas stocking.